[Ginger Power]

Couldn't agree more. I'll talk about things that I saw and reiterate ideas already stated. First and foremost seeing 2 FRC robots on a semi accurate field driving around and competing in Recycle Rush opened my eyes to this game. It gave me much better idea of strategies and functionality that teams should strive for.

Strategy Ideas
One robot preparing stacks of 2 at the feeder station seemed to be the quickest and most efficient way to get stacks of 2. Having one robot on an alliance dedicated solely to that task and making stacks of 2 until the 30 bins runs out would be highly effective. Robot 2 on an alliance would gather the 2 stacked totes from robot 1 and bring them to the scoring platform. Just continuing to do that until all 30 totes are gone. Robot 3 would then grab a recycling bin, fill it with a piece if litter, and place it on top of 2 stacked totes made by robot 1. Then robot 3 would then grab the 2 totes and recycling bin and transport all of that over to the stacks made by robot 2 on the scoring platform. By using the above strategy an alliance could make 3 complete level 4 stacks and however many more 4 tote stacks it has time for. In this scenario that would amount to 90 points from the completed level 4 stacks plus 8 for each additional 4 totes stack.

To me this says the coopertition points will be massive, accounting for between half and a third of an alliances overall score.

Ideal Robot Functionality

It is vital that a robot can manipulate totes some how some way. In the above scenario Robot 1 would be best served by having a mechanism that essentially acts as a continuation of the feeder station. If left alone the totes tend to fall into awkward positions when exiting the feeder station. With Robot 1 in place the totes would ideally slide to the ground in a way that is easy to manipulate and stack. Robot 1's mechanism would need to pivot so as to allow totes to slide directly to the ground or on top of another tote.

In the above scenario Robot 2 would need to be extremely efficient at moving with 2 totes. Having a mechanism in control of both totes at the same time is crucial. Robot 2 would also need to have a quick drivetrain that is easy to line up. For The GreenHorns slide drive worked perfectly. Robot 2 would also benifit from being able to grab totes when they are in any orientation.

Robot 3 in the above scenario has the most difficult job. Robot 3 is essentially robot 2 except this the added ability to be able to have control of the recycling bin when driving.

General Lessons and notes from working with 'Snow Problem

Robots must have the ability to manipulate fallen over recycling bins. Just looking at them the wrong way seems to make then fall over. They are way too valuable to leave laying on the ground.

Controlling game pieces while driving is crucial. Carrying 2 totes isn't hard to balance at all. Any more than that and you'll want to have some mechanism holding onto mote than 1 tote.

Don't knock over your own stacks. I did this multiple times during our matches because I'm a terrible driver. Knocking over your own totes is the worst thing you can possibly do. It's also a lot easier to do than you might think.

I would say having the ability to strafe is crucial. However the caveat to that is that if your team hasn't done mecanum before I would stay away from it. Slide drive is the way to go.

Going along with the 2 above points I would say that driver practice is more crucial now than in any previous game. Get your robot (or at least drivetrain) finished early!!!

The feeder station is more efficient than the totes laying on the field. Running out of the 30 totes back there is something that will be incredibly rare during qualification matches. During playoffs maybe not so much.

As stated above cameras are absolutely vital.

This will be a very fun year. Working with 'Snow Problem and playing this game was one of the most fun experiances I've had in a long time. I can't wait to see this game for real.